Basketball bankshot aiming aid for backboard

ABSTRACT

This description relates to a basketball bankshot aiming aid. The aiming aid comprises target areas placed on the backboard of a basketball hoop. Shooting a basketball at the aiming aid can improve bankshot shooting accuracy. The aiming aid also comprises a vertical reference marker on the backboard and extending vertically above the rim of the basketball hoop. The vertical reference marker aids shooters in identifying the middle of the backboard relative to the rim. A rim reference marker is disposed on an inside of the rim. The rim reference marker aids shooters in identifying a back portion of the rim. The aiming aid also comprises court location markers that identify basketball court locations and that correspond with segments of the target areas. Shooting from a particular court location and aiming at the corresponding segment of the target area can improve bankshot shooting accuracy.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/060,480 filed Aug. 3, 2020 and titled “Basketball Bankshot Aiming Aid For Backboard.” The entire contents of the above-identified priority application are hereby fully incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technology described herein relates to a targeting aid for shooting basketballs at basketball hoops.

BACKGROUND

Conventional basketball backboards utilize an outline of a rectangle, typically called a “square,” positioned on the backboard directly above the rim. FIG. 1 is an illustration depicting a front view of a conventional basketball hoop 100 comprising a backboard 102, a “square” 104 on the backboard 102, and a rim 106 attached to the backboard 102. In theory, if a player shoots a basketball to hit the conventional square 104 on the backboard 102, then an increased likelihood exists that the ball will go through the rim 106 relative to hitting another portion of the backboard 102. However, in practice, the design of the conventional square 102 only improves accuracy when the player is positioned very close and to the side of the rim 106. In seemingly every sport that has a target, the participant is most successful when hitting the middle, or inside, of the target. To the contrary, most basketball coaches teach their players to hit the upper corner of the conventional square 104 on the backboard 102 for a successful bankshot and layup. Not only are players taught to aim for the corner of the conventional square 104, aiming for the corner of the conventional square 104 provides relatively low accuracy results for shots farther from the backboard 102. Accordingly, the conventional design does not give a player an adequate target for where to aim the basketball to have a successful shot.

SUMMARY

This description relates to a basketball bankshot aiming aid. The aiming aid comprises target areas placed on the backboard of a basketball hoop. Shooting a basketball at the aiming aid can improve bankshot shooting accuracy. The aiming aid also comprises a vertical reference marker on the backboard and extending vertically above the rim of the basketball hoop. The vertical reference marker aids shooters in identifying the middle of the backboard relative to the rim. A rim reference marker is disposed on an inside of the rim. The rim reference marker aids shooters in identifying a back portion of the rim. The aiming aid also comprises court location markers that identify basketball court locations and that correspond with segments of the target areas. Shooting from a particular court location and aiming at the corresponding segment of the target area can improve bankshot shooting accuracy.

These and other aspects, objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrated examples.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration depicting a front view of a conventional basketball hoop comprising a backboard, a “square” on the backboard 102, and a rim attached to the backboard.

FIG. 2 is an illustration depicting optimal aim points relative to a conventional square on a basketball backboard.

FIG. 3 is an illustration depicting a basketball bankshot aiming aid.

FIG. 4 is an illustration depicting a front view of a basketball hoop comprising the basketball bankshot aiming aid of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an illustration depicting a front view of a basketball hoop comprising the basketball bankshot aiming aid of FIG. 3 with reference to a conventional square and optimal aiming points of a V-shaped target.

FIG. 6 is an illustration depicting a basketball bankshot aiming aid comprising square target areas.

FIG. 7 is an illustration depicting a front view of a basketball hoop comprising the basketball bankshot aiming aid of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an illustration depicting a basketball bankshot aiming aid comprising oval target areas.

FIG. 9 is an illustration depicting a front view of a basketball hoop comprising the basketball bankshot aiming aid of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is an illustration depicting a basketball bankshot aiming aid comprising sectioned target areas.

FIG. 11 is an illustration depicting a front view of a basketball hoop comprising the basketball bankshot aiming aid of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of one-half of a basketball court depicting court locations that correspond with the shooting sections in the basketball bankshot aiming aid of FIGS. 10 and 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The innovations described herein relate to a basketball backboard aiming device. The device comprises a target disposed on the backboard and positioned to provide a higher accuracy of shooting when aiming inside the target. Shooting at the middle of the target provides higher accuracy compared to using the conventional basketball backboard square.

Computer simulations show that banking the ball off the backboard provides a far superior means of making a basket from nearly every spot on the court (except the baseline and straight on) when compared to shooting without using the backboard. These computer simulations also identified locations on the backboard that provide more accuracy when shooting bankshots. FIG. 2 is an illustration depicting optimal aim points relative to a conventional square 104 on a basketball backboard 102 (FIG. 2 omits the rim 106 to better show the square 104). As shown in FIG. 2, the aim points follow a “V”-shaped target 200. Most of the target 200 is positioned outside of the conventional square 104, and none of the target 200 is positioned at a center of the conventional square 104. Accordingly, the conventional basketball backboard square 104 does not actually aid in making bankshots. For generations, the conventional backboard square 104 has marked basketball backboards 102, without assisting players with shooting bankshots aimed at higher-probability areas of the backboard 102. The innovations described herein provide a backboard target that aids in making bankshots, thereby improving shooting accuracy for bankshots and improving overall shooting accuracy for players taking advantage of the bankshot compared to a straight shot.

With reference to FIGS. 3-12, basketball bankshot aiming aids and systems will be described.

FIG. 3 is an illustration depicting a basketball bankshot aiming aid 300 in accordance with certain examples. FIG. 4 is an illustration depicting a front view of a basketball hoop 400 comprising the basketball bankshot aiming aid 300 in accordance with certain examples. The hoop 400 comprises the backboard 102, the rim 106, and the aiming aid 300.

The aiming aid 300 comprises two shooting targets 302 a, 302 b and a vertical aiming line 304. The aiming aid 300 also may comprise a rim reference marker 306 positioned on the back (and inside) of the rim 106. As shown in FIGS. 3-4, the target areas 302 a, 302 b comprise diamond-shaped target areas. The vertical aiming line 304 extends from the top of the rim 106 to a midpoint between the target areas 302 a, 302 b of the target 302.

Each component of the target 302 may be utilized separately or in combination with one or more of the other components. For example, one or both target areas 302 a, 302 b may be used and the target area(s) 302 a, 302 b may be used with or without the other components, the vertical aiming line 304 may be used with or without the other components, and/or the rim reference marker 306 may be used with or without the other components.

As shown in FIGS. 3-4, the target areas 302 a, 302 b comprise two mirrored, diamond-shaped targets positioned off-center from a vertical center line of the backboard 102. The target areas 302 a, 302 b are positioned such that shooting within the target area 302 a, 302 b on a particular side of the backboard 102 provides an improved chance of success to make the basket. Accordingly, a shooter may aim for the middle of one of the target areas 302 a, 302 b. The middle of the target areas 302 a, 302 b are positioned at a location to provide a highest accuracy for a majority of shooting forms and locations on the court, taking into consideration one or more of arch, topspin, backspin, location, layups, and jumpshots. With practice, more advanced shooters may focus their aim at other locations within the target areas 302 a, 302 b to improve their chance of success based on their shooting form and location on the court. For example, a shooter with a higher-arch shot may aim for an upper, inside portion of one of the target areas 302 a, 302 b, slightly above the middle of the corresponding target area 302 a, 302 b.

As shown in FIG. 4, the aiming aid 300 is positioned on the backboard 102 relative to the rim 106 to create shooting targets. FIG. 5 is an illustration depicting the basketball hoop 400 comprising the basketball bankshot aiming aid 300 with reference to a conventional square 104 and optimal aiming points of the V-shaped target 200 (FIG. 2) in accordance with certain examples. As shown in FIG. 5, the aiming aid 300 positions the target areas 302 a, 302 b relative to the optimal aiming points in the V-shaped target 200. The conventional square 104 largely misses the optimal aiming points of the V-shaped target 200. Accordingly, shooting a basketball inside the target areas 302 a, 302 b increases the likelihood of making a shot compared to shooting at the conventional square 102.

Although depicted as diamond shape in FIGS. 3-5, the target areas 302 a, 302 b may comprise any suitable shape to outline or otherwise designate the desired target area. For example, the target areas 302 a, 302 b may have a square, rectangular, rhomboid, circular, oval, multi-sided, or other desired shape. The target areas 302 a, 302 b may be an outline of a figure. The target areas 302 a, 302 b may be a solid area or an outline of an area. In certain examples, the target areas 302 a, 302 b may be formed in the shape of a logo, such as a team mascot or advertisement. Additionally, the shapes may be oriented in any desired manner to outline the desired target area. The desired shape may be chosen based on, among other things, symmetry, attractiveness to the eye, and color/depth perception, and effectiveness in highlighting the target area and improving shooting accuracy. In each case, the target areas 302 a, 302 b can be positioned such that aiming at the center of the target areas 302 a, 302 b provides increased success for a bankshot compared to the conventional square. Additionally, a “bullseye” or other aiming spot may be included on an interior of the target to further focus the shooter's aim.

FIGS. 6-9 depict alternative shapes for the target areas of an aiming aid according to certain examples. FIG. 6 is an illustration depicting a basketball bankshot aiming aid 600 comprising square target areas 602 a, 602 b in accordance with certain examples. FIG. 7 is an illustration depicting a front view of a basketball hoop 700 comprising the basketball bankshot aiming aid 600 in accordance with certain examples.

FIG. 8 is an illustration depicting a basketball bankshot aiming aid 800 comprising oval target areas 802 a, 802 b in accordance with certain examples. FIG. 9 is an illustration depicting a front view of a basketball hoop 900 comprising the basketball bankshot aiming aid 800 in accordance with certain examples. The target areas can be sized and positioned as desired to provide a shooting target on the backboard. As depicted in FIG. 5, the diamond-shaped target areas 302 a, 302 b are sized and positioned to encompass at least a portion of the optimal shooting points in the V-shaped target 200. The target areas can be located with the middle of the target area disposed on the “sweet spot” of the backboard. The sweet spot of the backboard is the location on the backboard where shots from a forty-five degree angle from the baseline (for example, from position 2 on FIG. 12) and hitting that location on the backboard have a higher probability of making the shot. Then, a shooter can adjust shots around the middle of the target area based on court location. Accordingly, any suitable shape and size of target area that encompasses the sweet spot can be utilized. An odd-shaped target area can have a distinct marking to identify the sweet spot. The size and shape of the target areas also can be adjusted as desired to compensate for different size backboards. For smaller backboards, larger target areas may overhang the top of the backboard to allow the target areas to encompass the sweet spot on the backboard.

The vertical aiming line 204 on the backboard and the rim reference marker 306 on the back of the rim provide a player with proper perception as to where the middle of the backboard and where the back of the rim 106 are located. Oftentimes, the player has a mere split second to identify certain landmarks on the rim 106 and backboard 102 prior to taking a shot. The vertical aiming line 204 and the rim reference marker 306 assist the player in identifying the middle of the backboard 102 and middle of the back of the rim 106. Many shooting coaches teach players to identify the inside of the back of the rim 106 as the aiming point to “swish” a shot. Unfortunately, because the entirety of the rim 106 is one color, it is difficult for the eye to identify that landmark in a split second as the player is about to shoot the basketball. The vertical aiming line 204 and the rim reference marker 306 assist in identifying these reference points. The rim reference marker 306 may be any color that contrasts with the color of the rim 106. The vertical aiming line 204 and the rim reference marker 306 may be used separately, as each provides aiming benefits. The vertical aiming line 204 and the rim reference marker 306 may be used together for increased benefit.

Although the figures depict the rim reference marker 306 on the back of the rim, one or more rim 106 reference markers 306 may be used at one or multiple points around the rim 106. The rim reference marker 306 at the back of the rim 106 provides an aiming reference for players shooting in an arc in front of the rim 106, thereby assisting the players to find the back of the rim 106 when shooting in front of the rim 106. Reference markers 306 may be placed at any suitable point on the rim 106 to provide a reference marker from a desired shooting angle. Placing reference markers 306 at other locations around the inside of the rim 106 provides reference markers 306 for shooters within arcs at other locations around the rim 106. For example, placing rim reference markers 306 on the side, inside portions of the rim 106 (for example, 90 degrees in either direction from the back of the rim 106), provides reference markers for players shooting within arcs from the baseline to allow the player to detect the “back of the rim” from that angle. Additionally, positioning rim reference markers 306 45 degrees in either direction from the back of the rim 106 provides reference markers for players shooting within arcs around an angle of 45 degrees from the baseline.

An aiming aid system 1200 for shooting from different locations on the court will now be described with reference to FIGS. 10-12. FIG. 10 is an illustration depicting a basketball bankshot aiming aid 1000 comprising sectioned target areas 1002 a, 1002 b in accordance with certain examples. FIG. 11 is an illustration depicting a front view of a basketball hoop 1100 comprising the basketball bankshot aiming aid 1000 in accordance with certain examples. FIG. 12 is a plan view of one-half of a basketball court 1202 depicting court locations that correspond with shooting sections in the target areas 1002 a, 1002 b in accordance with certain examples. The court locations are identified in FIG. 12 via the circled number locations, which are number 1, 2, 3, and 4.

As shown in FIGS. 10-11, the target areas 1002 a, 1002 b of the aiming aid 1000 comprise four segregated sections numbered 1, 2, 3, and 4. The segregated sections 1-4 correspond with court locations 1-4 identified on the court 1202 in FIG. 12. As a shooter moves around the hoop 1100, the best location to bank the basketball changes within the target areas 1002 a, 1002 b. For example, at court location 1, the best location within the target areas 1002 a, 1002 b is identified by corresponding section 1. Similarly, court location 2 corresponds with section 2 of the target areas 1002 a, 1002 b; court location 3 corresponds with section 3 of the target areas 1002 a, 1002 b; and court location 4 corresponds with section 4 of the target areas 1002 a, 1002 b. When the shoot is at or near a particular court location 1-4, the shooter shoots the basketball toward the corresponding numbered section of the target areas 1002 a, 1002 b.

Instead of, or in addition to, numbering the court locations and the corresponding target area sections, those items can be color coded or otherwise coordinated to identify the proper spot to aim when at or near a particular court location. Additionally, any number of court locations and target area sections can be utilized, for example, to focus training on particular court locations.

The court locations can be marked on the court in any suitable manner. For example, decals with the appropriate number or color can be placed on the court in the corresponding location. The court locations also can be marked with a paint or otherwise drawn on the court or marked with tape having an appropriate identifier written or marked thereon.

Shooters may practice with the aiming aid 1000 or the aiming aid system 1200 to improve shooting accuracy using the aiming aid 1000. Thereafter, shooters may adjust their targeting to hit corresponding locations on aiming aids that do not include sections, for example, aiming aids 300, 600, or 800 or other aiming aids described herein. The aiming aids described herein may be formed of any suitable material. For example, the aiming aids can be formed as one or more peel-and-stick, static-cling, adhesive, or other decals (such as stickers). Such decals can be separated from a backing material and adhered to the backboard via static, suction, or adhesive. Such decals also can be adhered to the backboard via an adhesive that is manually applied to the decals and/or the backboard before applying the decals to the backboard. In other examples, the aiming aids can be created from an adhesive tape attached to a backboard. The various components of the aiming aids can be formed by overlapping various lengths of tape at the desired locations. For example, the adhesive tape can be blue painter's tape. However, any suitable tape may be used. The aiming aids also may be painted or otherwise drawn directly on the backboard. The aiming aids may be hand-painted, or a template can be created in the shape of the component(s) with the template being used as a guide to paint/mark the component(s) on the backboard. The aiming aids may be applied to the backboard during the manufacturing process of the backboard. The aiming aids also may be supplied separately from the backboard and then applied to the backboard by the installer or owner. The aiming aids also can be applied to any existing backboard, either after removal of the conventional square or in addition to the conventional square.

Each component of the aiming aids may comprise one or more decals. For example, two decals may be used to create the double target areas, a horizontal decal may be used to create the horizontal line connecting the double target areas (if desired), a vertical decal may be used to create the vertical aiming line, and a reference decal may be used to create the rim reference marker for the back of the rim. The aiming aids also can be formed as a single decal for a backboard.

The aiming aids described herein can be any suitable color. The color of the aiming aids may be chosen to contrast with the rim, the backboard, or both.

The example devices, systems, methods, and components described in the embodiments presented previously are illustrative, and, in alternative embodiments, certain components can be combined in a different order, omitted entirely, and/or combined between different example embodiments, and/or certain additional components can be added, without departing from the scope and spirit of various embodiments. Accordingly, such alternative embodiments are included in the scope of the following claims, which are to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass such alternate embodiments.

Although specific embodiments have been described above in detail, the description is merely for purposes of illustration. It should be appreciated, therefore, that many aspects described above are not intended as required or essential elements unless explicitly stated otherwise. Modifications of, and equivalent components or acts corresponding to, the disclosed aspects of the example embodiments, in addition to those described above, can be made by a person of ordinary skill in the art, having the benefit of the present disclosure, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention defined in the following claims, the scope of which is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass such modifications and equivalent structures. 

1. A basketball bankshot aiming system, comprising: a basketball backboard; a basketball rim attached to the basketball backboard; and an aiming device disposed on the backboard and positioned such that a middle of the aiming device encompasses an area on the backboard for banking a basketball shot into the rim from a location other than perpendicular to the backboard.
 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the aiming device comprises two target areas that mirror each other.
 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the aiming device comprises a diamond-shaped target.
 4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the aiming device comprises a target having a diamond, square, circular, oval, rhomboid, multi-sided, or logo shape.
 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the aiming device comprises a vertical aiming line extending upwards from the rim.
 6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the aiming device comprises a rim reference marker disposed on an inside portion of the rim.
 7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the aiming device is a decal.
 8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the aiming device is painted on the backboard.
 9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the aiming device comprises a target area that is segmented into a plurality of sections, each section corresponding with a shooting location on a basketball court.
 10. The system according to claim 9, further comprising a plurality of court location markers configured to be placed on the basketball court to mark shooting locations on the court, each of the court location markers corresponding with a particular one of the sections of the target area of the aiming device.
 11. A basketball bankshot aiming aid, comprising: a target configured to be disposed on a basketball backboard in a position such that a middle of the target encompasses an area on the backboard for banking a basketball shot, from a location other than perpendicular to the backboard, into a basketball rim attached to the backboard.
 12. The aid according to claim 11, wherein the target comprises two target areas that mirror each other.
 13. The aid according to claim 11, wherein the target comprises a diamond, square, rectangular, circular, oval, rhomboid, multi-sided, or logo shape.
 14. The aid according to claim 11, wherein the target comprises a vertical aiming line extending upwards from the rim.
 15. The aid according to claim 11, wherein target comprises a rim reference marker configured to be disposed on an inside portion of the rim.
 16. The aid according to claim 11, wherein the target is a decal.
 17. The aid according to claim 11, wherein the target comprises an area that is segmented into a plurality of sections, each section corresponding with a shooting location on a basketball court.
 18. The aid according to claim 17, further comprising a plurality of court location markers configured to be placed on the basketball court to mark shooting locations on the court, each of the court location markers corresponding with a particular one of the sections of the target area of the aiming device.
 19. A basketball bankshot aiming system, comprising: a target configured to be disposed on a basketball backboard in a position such that a middle of the target encompasses an area on the backboard for banking a basketball shot, from a location other than perpendicular to the backboard, into a basketball rim attached to the backboard, the target comprising an area that is segmented into a plurality of sections, each section corresponding with a shooting location on a basketball court; and a plurality of court location markers configured to be placed on the basketball court to mark shooting locations on the court, each of the court location markers corresponding with a marking of a particular one of the sections of the target area of the aiming device, wherein each of the corresponding court location markers and target sections comprise corresponding markings.
 20. (canceled) 